Electrically operated imprinting apparatus



Aug. 31, 1965 B. E. BOGEAUS 3,203,523

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED IMPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-4 I'll. I |05 |Q IO8|O3 mn |o INVENTOR. BENEDICT E. BOGEAUS Aug. 31, 1965 B E. BOGEAUS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED IMPRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 l F. M W & W

fi M M. m 2\ 4 FIG3 INVENTOR.

BENEDICT E. BOGEAUS BY %k f%'4 ATTORNEYS Aug. 31, 1965 B. E. BOGEAUS 3,203,528

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED III/[PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG-8 75 5 E I I02 I log x I 05% IT Io7 \A' FIG-7 I63 F|G |O I65 I "I l IGIQM I I l I PRINT I ELECTRICAL i COMMAND IMPULSE PRINTER SIGNAL 'F\ SIGNAL EAN I '.I62 I04 MEANS i GENERATOR I I I l I I5I I69 I72 cHARAcTER TAPE E SELECT I CHARACTER EMBgSSER 5 COMMAND K SELECTOR I TRANSPORT I SIGNAL i\ MEANS I MEANS l Is I74 f t INVENTOR. BENEDICT E. BOGEAUS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,203,528 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED IlVWRlN'IING APPARATUS Benedict E. Bogeaus, Los Angeles, Calif assignor to Tapeprinter, Inc., Beverly Hills, Califi, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 321,518 1 Claim. (Cl. 197-604) This invention relates generally to imprinting apparatus and more particularly to an electrically operated imprinting apparatus specially adapted to imprint pre-selected characters upon an imprinting medium in strip form. The term imprint as used herein should be taken to mean the provision of a desired character in a medium in strip form by cold embossing, die cutting, stencil cutting, hot die embossing, or the like.

The need for a readily portable apparatus capable of imprinting desired characters upon an imprinting medium for various purposes such as the manufacture of labels, tags, stencils, or the like, has been a long-felt need in the art. In order to meet this need, hand-operated implements have been invented and utilized. Such handoperated implements have been quite successful for the purpose intended, however, they have been subject to certain inherent limitations.

One such limitation of the hand-operated imprinting implements is the fact that the capacity of imprinting medium available in such an apparatus is necessarily limited to a relatively small amount. Therefore, when the hand-operated imprinting implement is utilized to manufacture a large number of labels, tags, or similar such articles, at one time, the operator is required to very frequently cease the manufacture of the-desired article so that additional imprinting medium could be inserted into the machine. As a result thereof, the numbers of labels or the like capable of being manufactured by an operator within a given period of time, is drastically cur tailed.

Another limitation of hand-operated imprinting elements of the prior art type is that the imprinting medium selected must always fall in that area such that the material from which it is manufactured is subject to the force impartable by hand operation to effect the desired impression thereupon. In those areas where embossing or die cutting is the desired type of impression, it is obvious that the type of material utilizable is severely limited.

Another such limitation in prior art hand operated imprinting implements or devices is that the impression formed within the imprinting medium is not uniform from character to character nor from label to label. It

a person having relatively strong hands and forearms were i to use the prior art hand-operated imprinting devices, the characters impressed upon the imprinting medium would be very legible and clear. The impression formed from .character to character woud be more or less uniform. However, the uniformity would necessarily vary depending upon whether or not the operator utilized substantially all of his strength each time a character is impressed. If, however, during the process of carrying out a specific assignment operators were changed so that the next successive operator had hands and forearms of substantially less strength than those of the former operator, the labels or tags formed have an impression therein which varies substantially from that of the labels, tags, or the like, formed by the previous operator. It should also become obvious that where hand power is utilized to form the impressions within the imprinting medium, irrespective of the strength of the operator, the impressions formed become gradually weaker as the length of the particular assignment increases. That is, the force used to create the impression becomes progressively less as the length of the assignment increases and the operator tires. It can therefore be seen from the foregoing limitations that the formation of a large number of labels, tags or similar such articles when using prior art devices becomes a very slow and tedious assignment resulting in an end product of somewhat inferior quality.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which is compact in size and therefore readily movable by the user thereof from place to place, is easy to manipulate and operate, and positively imprints the desired character upon the imprinting medium with little or no eliort on the part of the operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which is independent of the muscular strength of the operator and produces characters imprinted with consistent uniformity of impression, irrespective of the number of labels, tags or similar such articles to be manufactured at one time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which is rugged and limited as to printing medium only by the strength of the impression forming portion thereof and which may have said portion changed from time to time to elTect varying types of imprints upon varying types of imprinting medium in accordance with the particular application to which the apparatus is being put.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which operates quickly and effectively and which contains a large supply of imprinting medium therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electricallyoperated imprinting apparatus which is adaptable for use with automatic character selecting means and automatic imprint commanding means for producing labels, tags; or other such objects in accordance with a predetermined program.

Additional objects and advantages of the imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention both as to its organization and'operation will become apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claim and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imprinting apparatus inaccordance with the present invention;

"imprinting medium;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 With the imprinting medium magazine removed to illustrate one form of imprinting mechanism that may be used in accordance with the imprinting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the printing mechanism in an alternative position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view partly in cross section and partly schematic illustrating the actuator for the printing mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevational views illustrating the mechanism for energizing the printing mechanism of the imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, each of the figures illustrating the energizing mechanism in different positions;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational View similar to FIG. 5 which is partially in cross section and partially schematic and which illustrates a portion of the imprinting medium transport mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8 taken about the lines 9-9 thereof; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the various operations of an imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which includes means for generating a pulse of electrical energy which in turn energizes a printing means to impress a pre-selected character upon an imprinting medium. The imprinting medium is received within a housing for the apparatus and is moved by transport means which automatically spaces the imprinting medium a predetermined distance each time the printing means is energized. The imprinting medium is by the transport means fed through a character selecting apparatus which may be manipulated to select a desired one of a plurality of characters to be impressed thereupon.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the character selecting means and the printing means may if desired be actuated in response to command signals emanating from a computer or similar apparatus in accordance with a pre-programmed imprinting instruction.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated an imprinting apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The imprinting apparatus 10 includes a housing 11 which receives and contains the operating mechanism as well as a supply of imprinting medium. Positioned upon the top 12 of housing 11 is a character selecting means generally designated as 13. The character selecting means 13 includes a rotatable Wheel 14 having a plurality of characters (not shown) about the periphery thereof. A depression as shown at 15 in the surface of the wheel 14 is positioned over each of the characters appearing at the periphery of the wheel 14. The depression 15 may be used to select the character to be imprinted as will be more fully described below. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the wheel 14 may also have about its outer extremity a plurality of teeth 16 which form a serrated edge to the wheel 14. The teeth 16 are formed in such a manner that the notch provided between adjacent teeth points to a specific character provided in the periphery of the wheel 14 as above referred to. The notch thus provided between the teeth 16 may alternatively be used to select a desired character as described hereinbelow. Positioned at the center of the rotatable wheel 14 is a knob 17 which is manually graspable to rotate the wheel if such is desired to provide yet another alternative way of selecting a desired character to be imprinted or as a means for bringing into view a specific group of characters which may thereafter be specifically selected through the use of the depressions 15 or the teeth 16 upon the Wheel 14.

A cover 18 is provided over the left edge of the top 12 as is illustrated in FIG. 1. The cover 18 may if desired be omitted so that the wheel 14 is in full view. The cover 18 has provided therein a window 19 through which the strip imprinting medium, such as the tape 21, may be viewed to determine the characters that have been imprinted thereon and also to determine the position of the edge of the tape at the beginning of the formation of the impressions therein. An indexing mark 22 is provided for the purpose of illustrating the point of beginning for the formation of such impressions. A cutting mechanism 23 is provided upon the face 24 of the housing 11 and is used to sever the tape 21 at the desired point after the formation of the impression of the desired characters therein. The cutting mechanism 23 includes a housing having a cutter bar (not shown) operable by the handle 25 to move the same upwardly and thereby sever the tape, causing it to fall into the palm of the hand.

Also provided upon the top 12 of the housing 11 is a stop means 26. The stop means 26 is utilized in conjunction with the teeth 16 or the depressions 15 in the periphery of the Wheel 14 to select the desired character to be imprinted. The operator of the imprinting apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention selects the desired character to be imprinted in accordance with the tag label or other such article being manufactured and after such selection places a finger in one of the depressions 15 which are formed over the desired character. The operator then moves the wheel 14 toward the stop means 26 until the finger contacts the stop means. At this position the desired character is in position to be impressed upon the imprinting medium such as the tape 21. To provide an additional means of assuring the operator that the desired character has in fact been selected, the character that will be imprinted is illuminated through a window 27 in the periphery of the wheel 14. Thus when the wheel 14 has been moved so that the desired character is within the illuminated window 27, the operator knows that the character thus illuminated will be impressed upon the tape 21. Alternatively the operator may place a finger between the teeth 16 and within the notch formed thereby and move the wheel 14 until the finger comes into contact with the stop means 26, thus again providing ready and quick means for indicating to the operator that a desired character has been selected. The illuminated window 27 again provides the assurance above referred to. In the event that the desired character is not visible upon the portion of the wheel which is exposed the operator may grasp the manually graspable knob 17 and rotate the wheel until that part within the cover 18 is exposed to view, thus permitting the operator to carry out the operation as above referred to.

The stop means 26 may also provide an additional function for the imprinting apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1. The stop means 26 may operate as the means for generating an electrical impulse which actuates the internal mechanism of the imprinting apparatus 10. To accomplish this function, the stop means 26 may be fitted within the top 12 in such a manner that it moves slightly, thereby operating a switching means which in turn generates the electrical impulse desired, as will be more fully described below.

The imprinting medium as desired, for example, embossable tape 21, is in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention carried within a magazine which is formed by a portion of the housing 11 in conjunction with additional apparatus thereby providing dium and in one embodiment of the present invention space for a substantial amount of such imprinting memay provide in excess of feet of embossable tape.

A magazine for retaining the imprinting medium is more fully illustrated in FIG. 2 to which reference is hereby made. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration from which the cover 18 has been removed for ease and clarity of illustration. As is illustrated in FIG. 2 the magazine for receiving and retaining the imprinting medium, is in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention formed by a plate member 31 which is held in place upon the housing 12 by means of screws 32 or similar attaching means which are fitted within posts (not shown). Extending from the plate 31 at substantially the center thereof is a center post 33 upon which a roll 34 of imprinting medium such as embossable 'tape 21 is received and held in place. The outer periphery of the magazine is defined by a plurality of pins 35. Alternatively the pins 35 can obviously be replaced with a solid edged member extending from the surface of the plate 31 or any similar such structure. A guide pin 36 is positioned adjacent the lower portion of plate 31 and assists in guiding the tape 21 from the roll 34 to a receiving bar means 37. The receiving bar 37 guides the tape into contact with the mating surfaces of the rubber friction roller 38 and the roller 39 which grip the tape and move it as will be more fully described below. The tape after passing through the rollers 38 and 39 is received within a tape guide illustrated generally at 41 which consists of an upper tape guide portion thereof. the imprinting medium, such as the tape '21, the male in the space 44 as is illustrated. At approximately -the end of the curvature within the space 44 there is positioned a deflecting member 45 to cause the tape 21 to be properly directed into position for imprinting by the mechanism which is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 to which reference is hereby made.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the'tape 21 is directed by the tape guide assembly 41 and the deflecting member 45 into a space 47 defined by the upper and lower die-forming members 48 and 49 respectively. As is illustrated, the upper die-forming .member is a solid substantially circular plate which is rigidly afiixed to the rotatable wheel 14 and turns therewith. The lower die-forming mem ber 49 is constituted by a plurality of -.discrete segments as is illustrated. The plurality of discrete segments is afiixed to the upper die-forming member 48 and turns therewith. Upon the upper surface of each of the discrete lower die-forming members 49, there is provided the male portion of a character while in the opposed matched position on the lower surface of the upper die-forming member 48 is provided the female When a character is impressed into lower die-forming member is propelled upwardly toward the female counterpart thereof in the lower surface of the upper die-forming member 48 to thus cause the impression of the character to be formed within the tape 21.

After the .wheel 14 has been positioned as above described the selected-.chatacter is then positioned as is illustrated by the discrete portion 51 of the lower dieforming member 49 in FIG; 3. At this point the printing mechanism is actuated 'to propel the discrete member 51 into contact with its counterpart in the upper dieforming member 48. i

The printing mechanism consists of a frame 52 pivotally mounted about pin 53 upon wall 57. A printing pin 54 is carried by the frame 52 and is actuated by a printing hammer 55 which is disposed within an opening 56 defined by the Wall 57. The printing pin 54 is retained in position and is guidedby openings formed within upper and lower fingers 58 and 59 respectively, of the frame 52. A leaf spring 61 is positioned within a recess 62 formed within the frame 52 and also is received within a relief 63 formed within the printing pin 54. The leaf spring 61 continuously urgesthe printing pin into a non-printing position as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus it is seenthat an imprinting means such as the die wheel and printing pin is provided. When the printing hammer 55 is actuated,'it travels upwardly carrying with it the printing pin 54 which passes through an opening 64 defined by the lower tape guide member 43, so that the pin 54 comes into contact with the selected discrete die 51 carrying the character which has been selected for impression into the tape 21 and propels the discrete selected die 51 into contact with the upper die-forming member 48, thus impressing the selected character into the tape 21 which is positioned between the discrete member 51 and the upper die-form- 'ing plate 48. In the formation-of many tags, labels and anism as is illustrated in FIG. 4 to which reference is hereby made.

As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the frame member 52 is.

pivoted toward the left about its pivot pin 53 by depressing button 67. Button 67 is interconnected with a pin 68 engaging frame 52. As the button 67 is pushed toward the left as illustrated by the arrow 69 the force is transmitted through the pin 68 and to the frame member 52, also carrying it toward the left as is illustrated by the arrow 71. As the frame member is carried toward the left, the printing pin 54 is also carried toward the left so that it is no longer contacted by the printing hammer 55 when it is actuated. Thus even though the imprinting apparatus is energized, and the tape or other imprinting medium is moved a predetermined amount, no character is imprinted when the button 67 is actuated as is illustrated in FIG. 4. Spring means 72 is interconnected between wall 57 and a pin 73 on the surface of frame 52. The spring means 72 continuously urges the frame 52 toward the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to thereby assure that a character as selected will always be printed, unless the button 67 has been pushed. Upon release of the button 67 therefore, the spring 72 will return the frame 52 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 5 the means for energizing the printing hammer 55 is illustrated in schematic form in that the remainder of the mechanism for the imprinting apparatus has been deleted from FIG. 5 for clarity of illustration and ease of understanding. As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the imprinting pin 54 positioned within the upper and lower fingers 48 and 'are attached to an electrical impulse generating means -(not shown in this figure).

Upon an electrical impulse being applied to leads 83, thus energizing the coil 84, the plunger 78 is drawn downwardly by the magnetic field set up by the coil 84. As the plunger 78 is drawn downwardly the arm 75 is caused to pivot about the points 76 and 77 thus causing the hammer 55 to travel upwardly and carry the imprinting pin 54 with it. This operation takes place as an impulse and lasts only during the period of time that the pulse of electrical energy is applied to leads 83. In this manner a desired character is impressed within the printed medium after which the imprinting pin 54 is removed from the die-forming member thus releasing the tape 21 so that it can be moved forward by a predetermined amount for forming the next impression therein. The means for generating the electrical impulse that is applied to the leads 83 of the solenoid 79 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 to which reference is hereby made.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 thepulse generating assembly illustrated generally at 87 is mounted upon a wall 86 of the housing 12 of the imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The pulse generating assembly 87 includes apush rod 88 having an 'outwardly extending flange 89 which receives the pressure applied by the operator such as for example through movement of the stop means 26 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 1 above. Upon the pressure being applied to the outwardly extending flange 89 the push rod moves downwardly as a result of being positioned through the medium of elongated slots 91 and 92 which receive pins 93 and 94 respectively which are mounted upon wall 86 of the housing and which in turn receives "tion as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Force applying means having first and second positions such as a pivot arm 97 is affixed to push rod 88 by means of pivot pin 98 and includes an elongated opening 99 therein. Pin 101 is affixed to push rod 88 and extends through opening 99 to restrict the travel of pivot arm 97 when it is actuated. A spring 102 is received between boss 103 and the lower portion 104 of the pivot arm 97. Spring 102 operates to maintain pivot arm 97 separated from the push rod 88 and to hold it in the position illustrated in FIG. 6. A finger 105 is formed at the lower portion of pivot arm 97 by a relief 106 provided therein. Cooperating with the push rod 88 and pivot 97 as part of the pulse generating assembly is switch means such as microswitch 107 which is affixed to the sidewall 86 in any manner which is desired. The microswitch 107 includes an operating button 108 and is connected by means of cord 109 and plug 110 to any desired source of electrical energy. A pair of leads 111 extend from microswitch 107 and are connected to leads 83 affixed to coil 84 of the solenoid 79 illustrated in FIG. and above described.

In operation the pulse generating assembly as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, moves downwardly when a force is applied to the flange 89 as, for example, illustrated by the arrow 112. Upon being moved downwardly the finger 105 on the pivot arm 97 depresses the operating buttom 108 of the microswitch 107. The arm 97 is in its first position thus actuating the microswitch. When the microswitch 107 is thus actuated, electrical energy is applied to leads 111 and in turn is applied to the coil 84 of the solenoid 79. Upon actuation of the solenoid 79, the plunger 78 moves downwardly as above described. As the plunger 78 moves downwardly it carries with it third means such as a rod 113 which is an extension of pin 77. As the rod 113 travels downwardly it carries a sheath 115 of Teflon or similar material into contact with shoulder 114 on pivot arm 97.

As is more clearly seen in FIG. 7, to which reference is hereby specifically made, as the Teflon sheath 115 contacts the shoulder 114 of the pivot arm 97, the pivot arm is moved to its second position, toward the right as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7. As the rod 113 continues its downward travel the pivot arm 97 is moved far enough to the right to cause the finger 105 on the pivot arm 97 to break contact with the operating button 108 of the microswitch 107. At this point the microswitch is deactivated, thus removing electrical energy from the solenoid, in turn causing it to become deenergized. If pressure is still applied to the flange 89 of the push rod 88, the entire push rod will be caused to travel downwardly to the limit defined by the elongated openings 91 and 92 therein, and will occupy the position as illustrated in FIG. 7. Even though the flange 89 may have continuous pressure applied thereto over an indefinite period of time, only a momentary pulse of electrical energy is generated and applied to the solenoid 79. Upon release of the force from the flange 89, the spring 95 causes the pulse generating assembly 87 to return to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and the spring 102 causes the pivot arm 97 to also return to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. In this position then the pulse generating assembly is again ready to re-energize the microswitch and provide another pulse of electrical energy to the solenoid 79.

As has been above referred to, when the imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention is energized to impress a preselected desired character upon an imprinting medium, the imprinting medium is moved forward or advanced by a strip advancing means by a predetermined amount so as to be ready to receive the next desired successive operation such as an impression or space whichever the case may be. The mechanism for accomplishing this spacing is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 8 and 9 to which reference is hereby made. As is illustrated, the solenoid 79 is also utilized to accomplish the actuation of the tape transport mechanism generally illustrated at 121. As the plunger 78 moves downwardly upon the solenoid 79 being actuated as above described, second means such as a second rocker arm 122 which is pivoted about a pivot pin 123 is also moved downwardly in such a manner that the lefthand end 124 thereof is caused to move upwardly. The lefthand end 124 of the rocker arm 122 is relieved as illustrated at 125 and receives a pin 126 therein. The pin 126 is affixed to pawl carrying arm 127. Arm 127 carries the pawl 128 which contacts ratchet 129 which in turn is affixed rigidly to gear 131. Both the ratchet 129 and the gear 131 are rigidly affixed to the shaft 132 which has the knob 133 affixed to an end thereof. As is illustrated the knob 133 is outside the housing 12 of the imprinting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The knob 133 in conjunction with the shaft 132 is used to move the imprinting medium such as the tape 21 manually so that it may be brought to any desired position and may be transported without energizing the solenoid.

By referring to FIG. 9, additional details of the tape transport mechanism and its relationship to the imprinting mechanism can be seen. As is therein illustrated the arm 127 defines elongated openings 134 and 135 which receive pins 136 and 137 respectively. An extension 138 is disposed at right angles to the arm 127 and has pivotally mounted thereon the ratchet arm 139 about the pivot pin 141. Also affixed to the extension 138 is a spring 142 which is anchored to a pin 143 extending from the wall of the housing. An additional spring 144 is anchored to extension 138 and engages the arm 139 of the pawl 128. As is illustrated in FIG. 9, the hammer 55 which is the end portion of the rocker arm 75 is positioned adjacent the end 124 of the rocker arm 122. Both the rocker arms 75 and 124 along with rod 113 are operated simultaneously by the plunger 78 on the solenoid 79.

As is further illustrated in FIG. 9, the ratchet 129 has an enlarged shoulder 145 thereon. As is also indicated gear 146 meshes with gear 131 in such a manner that as the latchet 129 is rotated, gear 131 also is rotated and rotates gear 146.

In operation the arm 127 is moved upwardly as the solenoid 79 is energized and the end 124 of the rocker arm 122 moves upwardly through the medium of the pin 126 which is received in the relief 125. As the arm 127 travels upwardly the pawl 128 is carried with it. As the pawl 128 moves upwardly the shoulder 147 thereon contacts the surface of the enlarged portion 145 of the ratchet 129. Upon the shoulder 127 being engaged with the enlarged portion 145 the pawl 128 is moved toward the left as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus the movement of the arm 127 upwardly causes the pawl 128 to move upwardly and to the left thus disengaging itself from the ratchet 129 and being placed into a position such that upon traveling downwardly the next upwardly successive tooth on the ratchet 129 will be engaged to thus rotate the gears 131 and 146. The spring 144 ensures that upon de-energization of the solenoid 79 the pawl 128 engages the ratchet 129. As the gears 131 and 146 are rotated, the friction roller 38 and the roller 39 which engage the tape 21 are also rotated and thus move the tape by an amount equal to the travel imparted to the ratchet 129 by the pawl 128.

It has been discovered that it is sometimes desirable to rotate the tape engaging wheels in the opposite direction to thus cause the tape or other imprinting medium to be moved in a reverse direction. Such operation can be accomplished by actuating the button 151 as illustrated in FIG. 9. The button 151 pushes the pawl 128 out of engagement with the ratchet 129, thus enabling the operator to actuate the gears 131 and 146 directly by means of the knob 133. Thus the tape may be moved in either direction as desired. As is illustrated, a spring 152 is retained in position about the button 151 between a flange 153 thereon and a wall of the housing.

By reference to FIG. 10 there is illustrated a circuit diagram in block form of a system for imprinting desired characters upon an imprinting medium in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. As is therein shown print command signals emanate from a means 161 for generating the same and are applied by way of lead 162 to an electrical impulse signal generator 163. The output of the electrical impulse signal generator is applied by way of lead 164 to a printer means 165. Simultaneously with the foregoing, a character select command signal emanates from a means 166 for generating the same which signal is applied by way of lead 167 to character selector 1 68. The character selector moves tape positioned in a transport means 169 as is illustrated by dashed line 171. Upon the selection of the desired character the printer means 165 then energizes the tape imprinter, which is illustrated Within the same block as the transport means 169, as is illustrated by the dashed line 172. The imprinted medium such as the tape illustrated at 173 which may be a label, tag or other such article, then emanates from the apparatus. The print command signal means 161 and the character select command signal means 166 may be part of a programming apparatus as is illustrated by the dashed line 174.

The operation of an imprinting apparatus as illustrated in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention in summary is as follows. An operator selects the desired character and thereafter rotates the wheel 14 until the finger of the operator engages the stop means 26. Stop means 26 being thus engaged is caused to move slightly thus moving the impulse generating means downwardly and actuating microswitch 107 which applies electrical energy to coil 84 of the solenoid 79 energizing it. Solenoid 89 being energized actuates rocker arm 75 and .122. Rocker arm 75 being energized drives printing pin 54 causing an impression of the desired and previously selected character into the embossing medium such as the tape 21. Simultaneously the pawl 128 is lifted out of contact with the ratchet 129 and is positioned to engage the next successive tooth thereof. Also simultaneously the rod 113 causes the sheath 115 carried thereby to disengage the finger 105 from the microswitch actuating button 108 thereby de-energizing the solenoid 79. As the plunger returns to its quiescent position pawl 128 engages the next tooth on ratchet 129 causing it to turn and in turn causes gears 131 and 146 to turn. The tape 21 is transported or advanced a predetermined amount by thus causing the rollers 38 and 39 which are afiixed to the same shaft as gears 131 and 146 to turn, thus placing the tape in a position to receive the next desired impression or space which can be accomplished by the operator moving the wheel to the next desired position.

There has thus been disclosed an electrically operated imprinting apparatus which will provide impressions of uniform consistency in a desired imprinting medium irrespective of the muscular strength of the operator and irrespective of the length of the task. Although the imprinting apparatus of the present invention has been disclosed by illustrating a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that such illustration is by way of example only and is not intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In an electrically energized solenoid operated imprinting apparatus adapted to imprint a preselected character upon an imprinting medium in strip form and to advance said strip automatically into position to receive a subsequent operation, the improvement comprising:

(a) an imprinting means;

(b) first means actuated by said solenoid connected between said imprinting means and said solenoid and momentarily actuated only upon energization of said solenoid to cause said imprinting means to form the character in said medium;

(c) strip advancing means;

(d) second means actuated by said solenoid connected between said strip advancing means and said solenoid and momentarily moved to a first position upon energization of said solenoid;

(e) spring means aflixed to said second means for returning said second means to its original position only upon de-energization of said solenoid to thereby actuate said strip advancing means and advance said strip into cooperative position with said imprinting means to receive a subsequent operation;

(f) switch means connected to said solenoid;

(g) force applying means having first and second positions and being engageable with said switch means when in said first position to actuate said switch means;

(h) third means actuated by said solenoid connected between said force applying means and said solenoid and momentarily actuated only upon energization of said solenoid to move said force applying means to said second position to disengage said force applying means from said switch means thereby to produce only a momentary pulse of electrical energy;

(i) said first, second, and third means being operable simultaneously upon actuation of said force applying means to actuate said switch means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,062,748 5/13 Todd et al 1976.4 1,421,074 6/22 Gaunt 1976.6 2,275,670 3/42 Zipf 197-6.7 2,415,526 2/47 Payne l97-6.7 2,979,179 4/61 Anglim et al. 1976.7 3,006,451 10/61 Souza 197-6.7 3,011,615 12/61 Inoue 197-6.4

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner. 

